Mount Vernon’s Hometown Newspaper • A Connection Newspaper January 17, 2013 Page 22 Antenna Wars Photos by Photos Mount Vernon residents hold out for more expensive and less Louise Krafft unsightly cell coverage. By Michael Lee Pope sent having these show up in The Gazette neighborhoods and at schools.” Like many people in the Mount /The Gazette he fight over a proposed Vernon area, Reynolds is a veteran Tcell tower at Sandburg of the antenna wars. Several years Middle School several ago, he led an effort to oppose years ago now seems like a Water- construction of a cell tower behind loo moment, the end of a campaign his house. Now he and many oth- Scuttle (Emma Ekman) and the seagulls (Ellen Roberts, Brian Selcik, Winnie Hurd, to build large and intrusive cell ers in Mount Vernon are ready to Payson White and Anna Johnson) help Ariel (Emily Flack) get used to her new legs towers at schools and in neighbor- go on the offensive by advocating and self confidence with a little dance and song, “Positoovity.” hoods. As they had over and over for a new technology that uses a again, residents in Mount Vernon series of smaller antennas that are opposed the proposal by Milestone scattered around rather than a Final Rehearsals for ‘Little Mermaid, Jr.’ Communications. Supporters like large monolithic structure that the idea that the design incorpo- towers in the air. The drawback is he Aldersgate Church Community The- 26, 27 at 2 p.m. rated an existing light pole, and the that it’s much more expensive for ater is in final rehearsal for the upcom- Call 703-660-2611 or visit acctonline.org for in- Sandburg design would have cre- the cell tower companies, and so ing performances of “Walt Disney’s formation/tickets. T ated revenue streams from three far no companies have come for- Little Mermaid, Jr.” Show dates are Aldersgate is located at 1301 Collingwood Road separate antennas — some of ward with a proposal to use Dis- Jan. 18, 19, 25, 26 at 7:30 p.m. and Jan. 20, 21, in Alexandria. which would be shared with the tributed Antenna System in the school. Opposition was so great area. that the plan was scuttled, and “Colonial Williamsburg is really now large chunks of the Mount the model of what we are trying Vernon areas remain dead zones. to do in Mount Vernon,” said “These cell tower companies al- David Dale, former co-chairman of ways want to construct these the Mount Vernon Council of Citi- monoliths,” said Riverside Estates zens Associations. “You don’t see resident Robert Reynolds. “And all cell towers hovering over historic of the neighbors have come to re- See Holding Out, Page 6 Civil Rights Struggle In Richmond Chef Louis (Claire Prince Eric (Daniel Jarzen) proposes a dance to Ariel Havranek) prepares a Northern Virginia Democrats (Emily Flack) as a means to communicate since Ariel fish dinner for Ariel and finally get traction on voting cannot utter a sound. Prince Eric. rights for nonviolent felons. By Michael Lee Pope felons. And year after year, the The Gazette effort fizzles in Richmond. So when Republican Gov. Bob he plight of the nonviolent McDonnell announced his support Tfelon has been a losing for automatic restoration of civil cause in Northern Virginia rights for nonviolent felons, many for decades. Year after year, Demo- believed this might finally be the crats introduce a bill that would year supporters could see some restore voting rights for nonviolent See Getting, Page 6 1/18/13 Requested in home in Requested material. Time-sensitive Ursula’s henchmen, Flotsam (Lucy Postmaster: Roberts) and Jetsam (Brendan DeBie) Attention Permit #482 Permit persuade Ariel (Emily Flack) to visit Ursula (McKenzie Sterner) proposes a VA Alexandria, PAID Ursula. deal to Ariel (Emily Flack). Postage U.S. PRSRT STD PRSRT www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ January 17-23, 2013 ❖ 1 2 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ January 17-23, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Hollin Meadows Hosts Ice Cream Making and Gardening Photos by Photos Renée Ruggles Jen Finnegan is the outdoor education coordinator at Hollin Meadows Elementary School. She led some families through the school’s monthly /The Gazette Second Sunday activities on Jan. 13. The families picked herbs from the school’s garden to enhance the homemade ice cream they were about to make. Volunteer Maddie Johnson helps children with their ice cream making project. The youngsters placed the ingredients in a plastic bag and then inside a bag filled with ice and rock salt. They shook the bags to make ice cream. Charlotte enjoys the efforts of her labors. The children made ice cream sundaes in the bags after Anuj took his task, shaking his bag the ice cream was frozen. of ingredients, very seriously. Jaden and her mother do some gardening before making ice cream. Sammy enjoys the first Aslan and Sammy enjoy some ice cream and conversa- bites of the ice cream that Shachi and Charlotte are hard at work making ice cream tion after all their hard work. he made. in their bags. www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ January 17-23, 2013 ❖ 3 JACKI SORENSEN'S FITNESS CLASSES SORENSEN'S FITNESS CLASSES JACKI News Jacki Sorensen's Aerobic Dancing starts January 23 at Charles Houston Recreation Center Trainer Inducted Into Hall of Fame Monday/Wednesday - 10:15 am reating sprained VATA is an organization dedi- & Wednesday - 5:30 pm T ankles, separated cated to the health and well- Register on line at shoulders and being of Virginians who are aching backs are everyday physically active and this is alexandriava.gov › Recreation occurrences for Fairfax the third year for the Hall of County Police Department’s Fame selection process. For more information, athletic trainer Nancy Burke began her career as Call: 202-657-1150 Burke. an athletic trainer in a sec- Email: [email protected] Burke serves a vital role ondary school setting after Website: www.Jackis.com for the agency in keeping graduating from James Madi- JACKI SORENSEN'S FITNESS CLASSES JACKI CLASSES FITNESS SORENSEN'S JACKI over 1,300 Fairfax County son University in 1973. After Police officers in top form earning her Master’s Degree despite the tough physical from Eastern Kentucky Uni- toll the job can have on versity, she continued her ca- one’s body. reer in Fairfax County. Her “Obviously physical fit- expertise in sports medicine ness is critical for those in is nationally known as she public safety; whether they served as the head athletic are chasing a suspect in the trainer for World Cup Sabre dark or helping lift a per- Fencing in 1992 and 1994, a son out of a wrecked car, it site medical director for the is a very physically demand- Atlanta Olympic Games in ing job,” Burke said. She 1996, and chaired the U.S. added, “It’s extremely re- Lacrosse Association Safety warding to be able to help Nancy Burke Committee, where her contri- treat and educate officers butions helped result in the on how to get healthy, stay mandate of protective healthy and get them back to duty after they’ve had eyewear and new safety standards for goalkeepers’ an injury.” helmets. Burke’s efforts are now being widely recognized For more information about the Fairfax County as she has been tapped for the 2013 Virginia Ath- Police Department’s programs or personnel, contact letic Trainers’ Association (VATA) Hall of Fame. The the Public Information Office at 703-246-2253. For a free digi- tal subscription to one or all of the 15 Connection Newspapers, go to www.connect ionnewspapers. com/subscribe Be the first to know – get your paper before it hits the press. Complete digital replica of the print edition, including photos and ads, deliv- ered weekly to your e-mail box. Questions? E-mail: goinggreen@ connection newspapers.com 4 ❖ Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ January 17-23, 2013 www.ConnectionNewspapers.com News Laura Marshall Photos by Photos Joe Quinn, Miles Gheesling, Alex Amico, Katelyn McConville, Eliza Lore and Hilary Canary A Thirst for Human Flesh … WPHS presents “Night of the Living Dead.” he classic horror “Night of the Living Dead” will open at West Potomac High TSchool on Jan. 24 at 7 p.m. In the play, a group of people are trapped inside a farmhouse in West Virginia as legions of the walking dead try to get inside and use them for food. Students starring in the play include Alex Amico, Joe Quinn and Alex Amico Hilary Canary, Miles Gheesling, Eliza Lore, Katelyn McConville and Joe Quinn “Night of the Living Dead” will play Jan. 24 –26: performances are at West Potomac High School in Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening at 7 p.m. and the Kogelman Theatre at 6500 Quander Road. Tick- Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10. All ets are available at the door. Alex Amico and Hilary Canary Valentina Selnick and Katelyn McConville www.ConnectionNewspapers.com Mount Vernon Gazette ❖ January 17-23, 2013 ❖ 5 News Holding Out for More Expensive, Less Unsightly Cell Coverage From Page 1 from leases to providers. Castle, offer both towers and DAS technol- the money to pay for it.” buildings in Colonial Williamsburg, and yet “They would have to show that DAS is ogy. visitors don’t have to enter a blackout.” not feasible,” said Mount Vernon Planning Once constructed, the facilities are leased IN THE LAST six years, demand for data Commissioner Earl Flanagan. “So far that to major providers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, service has increased 8,000 percent nation- DISTRIBUTED ANTENNA SYSTEMS hasn’t hap- Spring and wide, according to industry statistics.